Consumer organisation Which? has lodged a super complaint with the Office of Fair Trading to try and stamp out the spiralling "rip off" surcharges levied on debit and credit card transactions.

Budget airlines have led the way in charging hefty fees for the privilege of paying by plastic, but the latest research by Which? shows these "unjustifiable" charges are increasingly standard practice across a wide range of business sectors – from local councils and florists to dentists, dealerships and estate agents.

While the cost to companies for processing a payment by debit card is around 20p, and no more than 2% of the transaction value for a credit card, Which? researchers found dozens of examples of companies charging far higher fees.

These included:

• a £25 debit card charge to pay a £5,000 deposit to rent a flat through Foxtons, one of London's biggest letting agents.

• train booking site the Trainline adding a £3.50 charge for paying by credit card, while Eurostar charged £4.

• London cab firms Dial-a-Cab and Radio Taxis added 12.5% to the cost of their fares for paying with a debit or credit card, and Addison Lee charged £4.40.

• Bath and North East Somerset council levied a 3% credit card charge, while the DVLA adds £2.50 for paying by credit card.

• A family of four booking a return flight with Ryanair would be charged £40 to pay by debit or credit card.

Such charges make it difficult for consumers to compare prices ahead of making a purchase, and Which? also found that only a third of the public understood it is retailers rather than banks or card issuers who impose charges for paying by debit and credit card.

A Eurostar spokesperson said: "In line with much of the travel industry Eurostar charges a fee for credit card bookings, which goes some way towards offsetting the costs charged to us by the credit card companies.

"In February we made the commercial decision to increase this fee by £1 per booking. The new fee of £4 is more reflective of our own costs and we will not generate any profit through this charge. As has been the case since it was introduced, this fee is only applied to credit card transactions over £30 and it remains significantly lower than any of our airline competitors – and unlike many of our competitors, all bookings made using a debit card remain free of this charge."

Which? chief executive Peter Vicary-Smith said: "Consumers are really fed up with paying excessive card charges. So far, more than 40,000 people have pledged their support for our campaign to bring these to an end. Low-cost airlines are some of the worst offenders, but excessive card surcharges are becoming ever more widespread, with everyone from cinemas and cabs to hotels and even some local authorities getting in on the act."

The OFT said it would consider the issues raised in the super complaint in order to establish whether any element, or combination of elements, is or appears to be significantly harming the interests of consumers. It will publish a response within 90 days. Possible outcomes include:

• improving the quality and accessibility of information for consumers.

• encouraging businesses in the market to self-regulate.

• making recommendations to government to change regulations or public policy.

• taking competition or consumer enforcement action.

• making a market investigation reference to the Competition Commission.

• declaring a clean bill of health.

Ryanair, one of the companies accused by Which? of levying credit and debit card charges, denies it does any such thing. Instead it charges an "administration fee", which is avoidable if customers use a MasterCard prepaid card to make the transaction.

Ryanair's own white labelled card is no longer being marketed, but customers can use any prepaid MasterCard to avoid the fees. Kevin Mountford, head of banking and credit cards at moneysupermarket.com, says those who are likely to use the card for buying just one or two tickets may do best with the Freedom Eagle Cash Card, which has no monthly or card application but charges 2.75% for shop and internet purchases. However, those buying several tickets could save money with the Kalixa prepaid MasterCard, which has no monthly or purchase fees, but does have a one off card application fee.